Welcome to the Patch 7.3 Public Test Realm! After the events on the Broken Shore and inside the Tomb of Sargeras raid (no spoilers!), it’s time to take the fight directly to the Legion’s home world of Argus. We’re really excited about this update, and are looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback as we head into public testing.

Most (but not all) of the new stuff in 7.3 takes place on Argus—and as you might expect, this is hostile territory. Demons patrol every crag of Argus’s shattered surface, and sometimes it seems as if the planet itself is out to get you. This will be a very story-driven update, but we’re also designing areas with sandbox elements intended to be enjoyed even after you complete the main quest, with gameplay and challenges on the planet’s surface reminiscent of past endgame areas such as the Molten Front, the Isle of Thunder, and the Timeless Isle.

One of the first things you’ll encounter to help you navigate the Legion’s home turf is the Vindicaar: a vessel that will serve as your mobile base of operations—and one of your few safe havens—on Argus. Aside from giving you direct access to a number of 7.3’s new features, the Vindicaar will also be your primary method of transport behind enemy lines. Argus is a no-fly zone, similar to the Isle of Thunder, so to help make sure it’s still easy to get around, the Vindicaar will give you access to an extensive network of teleportation hubs (similar to flight paths, but without the travel time).

There are three main areas to explore on the planet, the first of which is available for testing on the PTR today!

Also in this first build are the first couple of chapters of the 7.3 storyline, and some new and improved casting animations for Restoration Druids, Elemental and Restoration Shaman, Discipline and Holy Priests, and all three Mage specializations (and yes, that includes Arcane Missiles). As with previous patches, player feedback is very important to us as we work to update these animations, so we’re really looking forward to hearing what you think.

(Note: Shadow Priest animation updates are also on the way for 7.3, but aren’t working yet in this build. In fact, some spells are likely to have no animations at all right now. That’s only temporary while we finish getting the new animations ready for PTR testing.)

Other major content that’s contained in Patch 7.3 but not yet complete in this build includes:

Further chapters of the Argus storyline, including many cinematic story moments

New World Quests

Professions updates, including epic gems

The Netherlight Crucible, which allows you to upgrade your Artifact to unlock a new way to customize your Relics

New dungeon: Seat of the Triumvirate

New raid: Antorus, the Burning Throne (though as with other Legion raids, it won’t be released immediately with 7.3)

Invasion Points, a new type of replayable content that let you fight the Legion on multiple different worlds

Several other improvements and updates to existing features

As the PTR process continues, we’ll provide updates with each build on what’s new. Thanks, and happy testing!

Avenging Crusader You become the ultimate crusader of light, increasing your Crusader Strike, Judgment and auto-attack damage by 40%30%. The cooldown recovery rate of your Crusader Strike and Judgment is increased by 50%30% and when you deal damage with those abilities, you and the nearest 2 injured allies will be healed for 200% of the damage done. Lasts 20 sec. Holy Paladin – Tier 5 PvP Talent. 35%50% of Base Mana. Instant. 60 sec cooldown.

Luminescence When you are healed by an ally, all nearby allies within 20 yards are also healed for 30%20% of the amount. Paladin Any2 Role – Tier 3 PvP Talent.

Retribution

Retribution Paladin Increases damage/healing of Blade of Justice, Consecration, Crusader Strike, Eye for an Eye, Judgment, Justicar’s Vengeance, Wake of Ashes, Zeal by 16%20%. Increases periodic damage/healing of Execution Sentence and Wake of Ashes by 16%20%. Increases damage/healing of Flash of Light by 42%. Increases power cost of Flash of Light by 22%. Increases damage/healing of Crusader Strike and Judgment by 13%. Increases damage/healing of Consecration by 100%. Paladin – Retribution Spec.

Priest

Spirit of Redemption The Priest becomes the Spirit of Redemption for 107 sec. The Spirit of Redemption cannot move, attack, be attacked or targeted by any spells or effects. While in this form the Priest can cast any healing spell free of cost. Can’t be cast in Shadowform. Honor Talent. Instant. 5 min cooldown.3 min cooldown.

Ray of Hope For the next 6 sec, all damage and healing dealt to the target is delayed until Ray of Hope ends. All healing that is delayed by Ray of Hope is increased by 100%50%. Holy Priest – Tier 5 PvP Talent. 40 yd range. Instant. 45 sec cooldown.

Spirit of the Redeemer Your Spirit of Redemption is now an active ability with a 53 minute cooldown, but the duration is reduced by 58 sec and you will no longer enter Spirit of Redemption upon dying. Holy Priest – Tier 5 PvP Talent.

Power Word: Radiance A burst of light heals the target and 4 injured allies within 30 yardsa friendly target and their 4 nearest allies for [ 250% of Spell Power ], and applies Atonement for 60% of its normal duration. Can be cast in Spirit of Redemption. Can’t be cast in Shadowform. Priest – Discipline Spec. 6.5% of Base Mana. 40 yd range. 2 sec cast.

Earth Shield Protects the target with an earthen shield, reducing all damage the target receives by 15% and causes the target to be healed for [ 450% of Spell Power ] when they take an attack equal to 8%4% of their total health. N Charges. Earth Shield can only be placed on one target at a time. Restoration Shaman – Tier 5 PvP Talent. 15% of Base Mana. 40 yd range. Instant. 5 sec cooldown.

Purifying Waters Whenever you successfuly Purge a target or when you are dispelled, you are healed for 5%3% of your total health. Shaman Any2 Role – Tier 3 PvP Talent.